Door latch



Feb. 4, 1941. R ANDER N 2,230,476

DOOR LATCH Filed July 8. 1939 4/ 2 VII/1111111 I C M 6 Patented l eb. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOOR LATCH Richard T. Anderson, Stacy, Minn.

Application July 8, 1939, Serial No. 283,395

22 Claims. (Cl. 292-128) My invention relates to a door latch of a simple type designed particularly for use upon screen and storm doors and the like.

The present invention is an improvement upon that type of door latch in which a single curved handle extending on opposite sides of the door is pivotally mounted to the door and so designed as to permit the door to be unlocked in a simple and eifective manner. My door handle is so arranged that when opening the door by pulling upon the handle from the outside, the handle will automatically unlock the door and permit the same to be opened. Similarly, when the door is to be opened from the inside, by pushing upon the handle, the pushing action against the handle causes the door to become unlocked so that it may open without difficulty.

I am aware that locks have been previously constructed with handles which are pivotally secured to the door and extend on both sides of the door, but the present invention involves an important construction by means of which the formation and manufacture of the locks is greatly simplified.

It is a feature of my invention to provide a door lock the working parts of which are mounted upon a U-shaped supporting bracket designed to fit over the edge and adjacent portions of the sides of the door. This U-shaped bracket ac- 30 commodates a door of a predetermined thickness and supports the pivoted handle and the spring which urges the handle into latching position. In mounting the handle upon the door, a notch is cut in the edge of the door through 35 which the pivoted handle can extend. The U- shaped bracket is considerably larger than the notch which need be formed, and therefore acts to conceal the notch. Thus the handle is quickly applied to the door with extreme ease.

It is a feature of my invention to provide a second U-shaped bracket which forms the actual pivot support for the handle, contains the actuating spring, and forms a housing for the portion of the handle concealed within the door. This 5 second U-shaped bracket is designed to fit between the sides of the first bracket and is provided with ears which extend through apertures in the first U-shaped bracket. This second U-.

shaped bracket can therefore be assembled with- 50 in the first U-shaped bracket by merely springing the sides of the first bracket apart and slipping the second bracket in place. The handle is then pivoted tothe ears extending through one side of the first U-shaped bracket and a spring is 55 slipped between the base of the second bracket and the handle, virtually completing the assembly.

It is a feature of my invention'to provide a latch equipped with a lock pivoted to the handle supporting bracket in such a way that in one 5 rotative position the handle lever is locked from pivotal movement. This lock is so arranged that one of the ears of the second U-shaped bracket forming the lock housing acts to limit pivotal movement in each direction. 10

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more-clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawing forming a part of my specification: 15

Figure 1 is a sectional viewv through a door and frame above the position of the door latch showing the construction of the same.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1, illustrating one side of the latch and 20 the locking member therefor.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through the handle and latch, the position of the section being indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view centrally through the latch, illustrating the construction thereof.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing the handle in open position.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the housing for the handle.

The latch A is designed for mounting upon a door .8 to engage a keeper l0 recessed in the door frame C. The latch A includes a substantially U-shaped bracket ll including side plates 12 and I3 which overlie the inner surface l4 and outer surface l5 of the door B respectively; and

a connecting base portion l6 which overlies the edge of the door and is recessed slightly into the edge to extend flush withthe remainder of the door edge l'l. Ap'ertures l9 and 20 respectively are formed in the side plates l2 and I8, through which the curved handle 2| extends.

The curved handle 2| is substantially the shape of a horseshoe, providing an outer handle lever 22 and an inner handle lever 23. A notch 24 in the handle lever 2| provides a shoulder 25 engageable in the keeper III to hold the door latch in latched position.

The latch housing also includes a channel mem- 5 her 26 or a second U-shaped member best illus-' trated in Figure 6 of the drawing. This channel 26 includes a base 21 and opposed sides 29. Ears 30 and 3| on one end of the channel extend through the aperture l9, while spaced cars 32 the channel 26 and the handle 2| to urge thishandle into locking position as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing.

A lock 33 in the form of a flat strip having a raised operating knob 38 thereupon is pivoted at 31 to the side I2 oi the U-shaped channel bracket The ear 30 is provided with a projecting portion 39 which extends through the plate I2 and projects slightly beyond this plate, while the other ear 3| remains flush with the outersurface of the plate. The pivot 31 of the lock 33 is so arranged that in one position illustrated in full lines in Figure 2 of the drawing, the lock 33 engages the projecting portion 39 to limit pivotal movement in a clockwise direction. This projecting portion 39 also engages the lock in locking position, illustrated in dotted outline in Figure 2 to limit pivotal movement in a counter-clockwise direction.

From an observation of Figure 3 of the drawing, it will be noted that the base 21 of the channel 26 is spaced slightly below the edge of the aperture l9, thus providing a shoulder engaging one end of the spring 34 to hold this spring from sliding out of place. It will also be noted that if the spring 34 should break for any reason whatsoever, the spring may be replaced by merely removing the broken parts of the old spring and inserting a new spring through the aperture |9..

The simplicity of the assembly of the present device is believed clear from the foregoing de-.

scription. The U-shaped or channel brackets II and 26 and the handle 2| are separately formed. The lock 35 may then be riveted in place upon th side |2 of the bracket II. The handle 2| may be inserted through the apertures l9 and 20 in the bracket II, and the channel member 26 may be inserted in place by springing the opposed sides |2 and 3 of the channel ll slightly apart. While thus spread, the ears 32 of the channel 26 may be extended through the aperture 20 and the ears 30 and 3| are inserted through the aperture l9. This permits the sides l2 and I3 of the bracket II to spring back into parallel relationship. The pivot 33 may be then extended through the ears 32 and the handle 2| and the latch is completely assembled.

The keeper i0 is preferably formed as illustrated witha pair of sides 4| and 42 and an intermediate inclined base 12' which terminates in a shoulder 43 formed by bending the base outwardly and then rearwardly upon itself. This construction provides a rounded outer edge 44 over which the handle 2| rides until the shoulder 25 at one end of the notch 24 slips into the cooperating notch formed between the base 42' and the shoulder 43 of the keeper l0.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of 'my door latch; and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that this is only illustrative of a means of carrying out my invention, and that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A door latch comprising a channel bracket overlying the edge and adjacent side surface of a door, said bracket having openings through the opposed sides thereof, a second channel, ears on opposite ends or said second channel extending through said apertures in said channel bracket, a handle extending through said openings to project on each'side of said door, and means pivotally connecting said handle to said second channel.

2. A door latch comprising a substantially U-shaped channel including opposedsides and a base, said opposed sides having apertures therethrough, a handle extending through said apertures, a second channel having a base and opposed sides, said base secured substantially parallel to said base of said first channel, and the sides'of said second channel extending toward said base of said first channel, said handle em,- braced by said second channel, and means for pivotally securing said handle to .said second channel. 7 I

3. A door latch comprising a channel designed to enclose a door edge and the adjacent portions of the sides of the door, said channel having apertures in the opposed sides thereof, a second channel interposed between the sides of said first channel having a base extending substantially parallel to the base of said first channel, a handle extending through said apertures and embraced by said second channel, means pivotally securing said handle to said second channel, and spring means interposed between said base of said second channel and said handle to urge said handle in one pivotal direction.

4. A door latch comprising a channel designed to enclose a portion of the marginal edge of a door, a second channel extending between the sides of said first named channel, said first channel having apertures through the opposed sides thereof, ears on said second channel at opposite ends thereof extending through said apertures, a handle extending through said apertures. and means pivotally connecting said handle extending through said apertures.

5. A door latch comprising a channel designed to enclose a portion of the marginal edge of a door, said channel including opposed sides and a base, a second channel positioned between the sides of said first channel, apertures extending through said opposed sides of said first channel, ears on said second channel extending through said apertures, a handle extending through said apertures, means pivotally securing said handle to said ears on one end of said second channel, and shoulder means on said handle.

6. A door latch including a channel designed to enclose'a portion of the marginal edge of the door, said channel including opposed sides and a base, said opposed sides having apertures therethrough, a second channel interposed between said opposed sides of said first channel, ears on the ends of said second channel extending through said apertures in said first channel, a handle extending through said apertures, means pivotally connecting said handle to said ears on one end of said second channel, resilient means between the base of the second channel and said handle urging said handle in one rotative'direction, and lock shoulder means on said handle.

7. A door latch comprising a channel designed to enclose a portion of the marginal edgeof the door, apertures in the sides of said channel, a second channel intermediate the sides of said first channel, ears on the ends of said second channel extending through said apertures in said first channel, a handle extending through said apertures and pivotally secured to said channels, and spring means interposed between the base of said second channel and said handle to urge said handle in one rotative direction. i

8. A door latch comprising a channel designed to engage a portion of the edge of a door. said channel having apertures in the opposed sides thereof, a second channel, means on said; second channel extending into said apertures to hold said second channel in place between the sides of said first channel, a handle pivotally secured tosaid second channel extending through said apertures, and spring means interposed between the base of said second channel and said handle, the base of said second channel being spaced from said apertures.

9. A door latch comprising a channel designed to engage a portion of the marginal edge of a door, said channel having apertures through. the opposed sides thereof, a second channel between the opposed sides of said first .channel, ears on each end of said channel extending through said apertures, a handle extending through said apertures, means pivotally connecting saldhandle to said ears on one end of said second channel, and a lock pivotally secured to the sidewall-of said first channel adjacent the other end of second channel, one of said ears on said other end projecting through the first channel to provide a stop for limiting pivotal movement of said lock.

10. A door latch comprising a channel bracket overlying the edge and adjacent side surfaces of a door, said bracket having openings through-the opposed sides thereof, a pair of spaced parallel members mounted within said channel bracket and having portions adjacent one of said openings, a handle extending through said openings to project on each side of said door, and means extending through said portions and said handle pivotally supportings'aid handle.

11. A door latch comprising a channel bracket overlying the edge and adjacent side surfaces of a door, said bracket having openings through the opposed sides thereof, a. support mounted within said channel bracket and having portions projecting outwardly from one side of said bracket,-a handle extending through said openings, means pivotally connecting said handle to saidprojecting portions, thereby supporting said handle for pivotal movement in the opening in the opposed side of said bracket.

12. A door latch comprising a channel designed to fit over the edge and the adjacent surfaces of the sides of the door, said channel having openings through the opposed sides thereof, one of said openings being spaced farther from the base of the channel overlying the door edge than the other, a curved handle extending through said openings for engagement on either side of the door, means pivotally connecting said handle to said channel adjacentthe other of said openings in said channel, said one opening limiting the pivotal movement of said handle.

13. A door latch comprising a channel designed to fit over the edge and the adjacent surfaces of the sides of the door, said channel having openings through the opposed sides thereof, a curved handle extending through said openings, means pivotally connecting said handle to said channel, said openings limiting the pivotal movement of said handle with respect to said channel.

14. A door latch comprising a channel bracket overlying the edge and adjacent side surfaces of a door, said bracket including a base and a pair of substantially parallel sides arranged on substantially vertical planes, a second channel between said parallel sides of the first named chanoverlying the edge and adjacent side surfaces of a door, said bracket including a base and a pairof substantially parallel sides, a second channel between said parallel sides, said second channel comprising a base and a pair of substantially parallel sides, said parallel sides of said second channel extending on planes substantiall'y normal to said parallel sides and said base of said first named channel, said parallel sides of said first channel having openings therethrough, a handle extending through said openin'gs and embraced by said second channel, and means pivotally supporting said handle between the parallel sides of said second channel.

16. A door latch comprising a channel bracket overlying the edge and adjacent side surfaces of a door, said channel having apertures in the opposed sides thereof, a handle extending through said apertures, means pivotally securing said handle to said channel, a second channel extending between the sides of said first channel having a base substantially parallel to the portion of said handle between said opposed channel sides, and resilient spring means interposed between the base of said second'channel and said handle.

17. A door latch-comprising a channel bracket overlying the edge and adjacent side surfaces of a door, said channel having apertures in the opposed sides thereof, a handle extending through said apertures, a second channel between the sides of said first channel, a base on said second channel substantially parallel to the portion of said handle between said opposed sides of said first channel, means pivotally mounting said handle embraced by said second channel, and spring means between the base of said second channel and said handle.

18. A door latch comprising a. channel bracket overlying the edge and adjacent side surfaces of a door, said bracket having openings through the opposed sides thereof, a handle extending through said openings, a means pivotally supporting said handle adjacent one of the sides of the channel, said means being supported within the channel and including portions receiving support from said channel walls, the pivotal axis of the handle extending substantially parallel to the sides of said channel bracket.

19. A door latch comprising a channel bracket overlying the edge and adjacent side surfaces of a door, said bracket having openings through the opposed sides thereof, a handle extending through said openings, means pivotally supporting said handle, said means projecting from one of the sides of said channel spaced from the base of said channel, the axis of said pivot extending substantially parallel to the opposed sides of said channel.

20. A door latch comprising a channel bracket overlying the edge and adjacent side surfaces of a door, said bracket havingopenings through the opposed sides thereof, supporting means extending from one oi the opposed sides substantially normal to said one side and on a plane at substantially right angles to the base of said channel, a handle extending through said openlugs and pivotally mounted on said supporting means, the pivotal axis of said handle extending substantially parallel to said opposed sides of said channel bracket, the opening in the other side of said channel bracket having ,edges which are engaged by said handle to form stops for the latched and uniatched positions of said handle.

21. A door latch comprising a channel bracket overlying the edge and adjacent side surfaces of a door, said bracket having openings through the opposed sides thereof, a means pivotally supporting a handle means, said means being supported within the channel, and a handle means extending through said openings pivoted to said supporting means.

22. A door latch comprising a channel designed to fit over the edge and adjacent side surfaces of a door, opposed openings in the sides of said channel, a substantially U-shaped handle unit extending through said openings, the ends of said handle unit designed to overlie opposite sides 01' said door, one end of said handle unit being of a size to fit through\ said openings, means pivotally connecting said handle to said channel, and latch means forming a part of said handle unit including a shoulder extending substantially parallel to and spaced substantially outwardly from the sides of said channel to admit a keeper between said shoulder and said channel.

RICHARD T. ANDERSON. 

